The whole body of Christian religion, by Hieron. Zanchius. Translated out of Latine by D. Ralph Winterton.

CHAP. XXI. Concerning good works.

DOCTRINE I. That those which are ingrafted into Christ, have also from thence both to live themselves, and also to shew forth the works of life unto others: and that this is the chief end of being ingrafted into Christ.

AS the vine-branch from the vine draweth not onely for it self sap and nourishment, whereby it self liveth; but also that, whereby it bringeth forth fruit unto us: So also we believe that the Saints and godly upon earth have also from Christ, into whom they are ingraf∣ted, not onely life whereby they live themselves, but also wherewith all to shew forth the fruits of good works, to the glorie of God, and the edifying of the Church: For the Lord himself saith,a 1.1 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth mach fruit. Whereunto also is

very pertinent that of the Apostle,a 1.2 We are his workmanship, created in Christ Iesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained (or prepared) that we should walk in them.

DOCT. II. What we understand by the name of good works.

NOw by the name of good works we understand all those actions and works, which according to the prescript of the will of God revealed in his word, out of ab 1.3 lively faith in Christ, and soc 1.4 out of a pure heart, are performed of the regenerate by the holy Spirit: For, asd 1.5 Whatsoever is not of faith, is sinne; so whatsoever works are done out of ae 1.6 lively faith, and a pure heart, and a good con∣science, good works they are necessa∣rily. Wherefore we hold that the works which are done by the ungod∣ly, without faith and the word of God, and the leading and guidance of the holy Spirit, howsoever they may have a gloriousf 1.7 shew of much pietie, and divine worship: yet, they areg 1.8 not to be reckoned in any wise

amongst good works, and such as are pleasing and acceptable unto God.

DOCT. III. That good works are not done of us as of our selves, but by the virtue and power of Christ's spirit.

AS vine-branches, or olive∣branches bring not forth fruits of themselves, but by virtue of the vine, or olive-tree whereinto they are ingrafted: So we likewise do not of our selves do good works, but by virtue of Christs Spirit, into whom we are incorporated, and from whom we draw even that life, by which we live; Christ himself working in us by his Spirita 1.9 both to will and to do of his good pleasure.b 1.10 For without me, saith he, ye can do nothing.

DOCT. IV. That good works are not the cause, but the effects of our union with Christ, and our justification, and our life.

ANd further, as vine-branches or olive-branches do not therefore bring forth good fruit, that so they

may be ingrafted into the vine or olive-tree, or themselves receive life; but therefore fructifie, because they are already ingrafted into the vine, or olive-tree, and live therein: from whence it followes, that their good fruits are not the cause of their in∣grafting, or life; but the effects and manifest signes thereof. Iust after the same manner, do we believe that the case stands between Christ and us; as S^t. Augustine sufficiently teacheth,* 1.11 where he saith, That good works do not precede, or go before, a man that is yet to be justified, but follow after a man is justified. And therefore we con∣stantly believe and confesse, that by works (to speak properly, and con∣cerning justification of life) a man is not justified, but declared to be ju∣stified.

DOCT. V. That, although we by our good works are not justified, yet others there∣by oftentimes are edified unto sal∣vation.

BUt yet this we adde, that as trees themselves are not nourished, nor

receive life from their own fruits, and yet others are nourished and live thereby, as men and other living creatures: So, notwithstanding we by our works are not our selves justi∣fied, yet others thereby are very much edified, and by our example excited anda 1.12 stirred up to glorifie God, and to seek the true righteousnesse and life in Christ, and are thereby saved: For the Apostle himselfb 1.13 saith that he did therefore magnifie (or illu∣strate) his office among the gentiles (viz. by his diligence and sanctitie of life) that he might provoke to e∣mulation those which were his flesh, and so save some of them: and in another place hec 1.14 saith that it may so come to passe that the unbelie∣ving husband or wife may be saved by the wife or husband which belie∣veth, that is, which performeth a Christians duty in leading a godly and holy life: and again writing to Timothie he saith that if he look di∣ligently unto his office, that is the of∣fice of a Bishop, he shall both save himself and others.

DOCT. VI. That we do not condemne good works, although we deny that a man is justified thereby.

WHerefore, although we deny that good works are to be done of us to this end, that we may be ju∣stified thereby; forasmuch as this would overthrow the righteousnesse which is the free gift of God, and the whole benefit of Christ: we do not therefore condemne the study of ho∣ly life, and good works; yea we com∣mend the same, and exhort thereun∣to with all vehemencie, upon all oc∣casions.

DOCT. VII. That there are many, and those very weighty reasons why we ought to be exercised in the study and practise of good works.

FOr there are declared unto us in holy Scripture many, and those very weighty reasons, why we ought diligently to exercise our selves in the study and practise of good works,

although we are not justified there∣by: Of which reasons some have re∣serence immediately to the glorie of God; others belong to the salvation of our neighbour, and the good of the Church; and others tend to our thankfullnesse towards God, as like∣wise to our own salvation. 1.a 1.15 They are commanded by God: And him we must absolutely obey. 2. a God is thereby glorified: And we must by all means promote this glorie. 3. God hath therefore elected, crea∣ted, and redeemed us,b 1.16 that denying ungodlinesse and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world: And we must not disappoint him of his end. 4. They please God;* 1.17 for he c loveth righte∣ousnesse and hateth iniquitie: And whatsoever pleaseth God we ought to do, although there should come no profit thereby either to our neigh∣bour or our selves. But unto our neighbour, and the Church espe∣cially, cometh much profit thereby, not onely as concerning the body & externall things, but the soul also and eternall salvation; whilst by our

example (to let passe other things) the elect area 1.18 provoked to the like studie of pietie, and practise of good works. And, as concerning our selves, they are profitable unto us many wayes. I.b 1.19 Because by our good works, as the effects of our election and vocation, we make them both sure, both to our selves and others. 2.c 1.20 Because faith doth not onely de∣monstrate and shew forth it self by good works as the fruits thereof, but also is exercised, stirred up, strengthe∣ned, and increased thereby; as also all Morall virtues receive strength and increase by dayly exercise. 3. Be∣cause, as wed 1.21 grieve the holy Spirit by our sins; So by our good works we make him glad, and are our selves filled with spirituall joy and glad∣nesse in our hearts and consciences, and resist the devills temptations. 4.e 1.22 Because, as by eschewing sin we escape many punishments; So also following the study and practise of good works we obtain of God mani∣fold blessings, both in this life, and in that especially which is to come. 5. and lastly,f 1.23 because they are the

way by which God ordinarily lea∣deth this elect unto eternall life: anda 1.24 unlesse the vine-branch bring forth fruit, it shall be cut off and cast into the fire.

DOCT. VIII. That unto our good works a reward is promised and given, but yet of grace, and for the merits of Christ.

FRom whence we understand that although by our good works web 1.25 cannot (to speak properly) merit unto our selves the possession of a celestiall inheritance (forc 1.26 The gift of God is eternall life:) Yet we mayd 1.27 obtain it as reward; but yet of the mere mercy of God, and for the me∣rits of Christ.

DOCT. IX. Errours condemned.

WE therefore condemn all those, who standing upon the condi∣gnitie of their works, do teach either that remission of sinnes, or eternall life, or any other good whatsoever is due unto them. Fore 1.28 though we should perfectly keep all Gods com∣mandments,

yet even then should we be but unprofitable servants: But there is no man, no though he be in∣grafted into Christ, and justified, that doth keep the commandments of God, as he ought. And yet we find no fault with the Fathers for using the name of Merit, so farre forth as they use the word in this sense as si∣gnifying a good work done in faith, which is recompensed with a reward, and that of grace, and for the merits of Christ. But again we like not those, who dispute of good works as if they were things indifferent; and further say that they are so farre from being necessarie, that they make nothing at all unto our salvation. Fora 1.29 how can a man be saved without faith? and,b 1.30 How can faith be lively with∣out the studie and practise of good works? and,c 1.31 How can a man hold faith unlesse also he keep a good con∣science? and, How can a man keep a good conscience, unlesse he hold a constant resolution to eschew sin, to practise good works, and to compose and frame his whole life to the will of God? But we absolutely condemne

all libertines, to whom it is all one without difference, either to keep God's commandments, or not to keep them; to do well, or to do ill. We condemne likewise those, who teach that our good works are pro∣fitable for the souls of the dead, in I know not what fire, which they call Purgatorie: forasmuch as the Scri∣pture saith that every man shall be judged according to the works which he hath done in his body; and that, as concerning the dead, their own works, and not other mens, do follow them.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Ioh. 15.5.
• a 1.2

  Eph. 2.10.
• b 1.3

  1 Pet. ••.5.
• c 1.4

  1 Tim. 1.5.
• d 1.5

  Rom. 14.25.
• e 1.6

  1 Tim, 1.5.
• f 1.7

  Coloss, 2.18.23.
• g 1.8

  Matt. 15.8, 9.
• a 1.9

  Phil. 2.13.
• b 1.10

  Ioh. 15.5.
• * 1.11

  August.
• a 1.12

  Matt. 5.16.
• b 1.13

  Rom. 11.13.
• c 1.14

  1 Cor, 7.16.
• a 1.15

  Matt. 15.16.
• b 1.16

  Tit. 2.12.
• * 1.17

  Act. 10.35. Col. 1.10.
• a 1.18

  Heb. 10.24.
• b 1.19

  2 Pet. 1.10.
• c 1.20

  Tim. 1.6.
• d 1.21

  Eph. 4.30.
• e 1.22

  Deut. 28.1. &c.
• f 1.23

  Eph. 2.10.
• a 1.24

  Ioh. 15.6.
• b 1.25

  Luke 17.10.
• c 1.26

  Rom. 6.23.
• d 1.27

  Matth. 5.7.
• e 1.28

  Luke. ••••.10.
• a 1.29

  ••eb. 11.6.
• b 1.30

  Iam. 2.20.
• c 1.31

  1 Tim. 1.19.